People still care

My brother in law is a mailman in Northern California ... this is an email he sent us ...

So today they asked me to help deliver mail in Santa Rosa, at the heart of the fire. I did mainly to help the people out there. They were very glad to see the mail truck and didnít believe we were still willing to deliver.I went to neighborhoods that were still intact, however they have all been given evacuation orders and they have no power or gas. The fire was on the other side of the hill and never threatened where I was.
The Santa Rosa post office has 160 8 hour routes. This week, a total of 17 have been completely destroyed. I wore a mask all day and so did most people on the street. People were hosing down their houses and packing their cars to leave.
I detected a lot of fear and confusion and uncertainty. Itís heartbreaking and Iím happy to be able to do what I can to brighten their day, even if I give them junk mail and bills! They liked the normalcy of it. Iím going there tomorrow again. I had a slight headache at the end of the day and it ended soon. Since itís all so unpredictable, Iím going to be very observant and will leave if itís not smart to stay.

Another thing happened that is noteworthy. After all the mailing and smoke, etc. I became tired on the way home which is not that close to my house. I pulled off to go to Whole Foods. I sat in the parking lot and took a nap before I went in to get dinner. The person next to me thought I was not OK, so the manager came and knocked on my window and I said I was just tired. And another manager came out and asked me how I was. I told her I had been delivering mail in the fire zone and was tired. She said I should go inside, get whatever food I wanted and they wouldnít charge me and it was on the house and she thanked me for my service. So I got some stuff and some was to bring home too. I told them at checkout that some was not just for dinner, and they told me to keep it all and it was all free. Wow, Iím touched. They live so close or in the fire zone and appreciate anyone doing their part to help. Everyone wishes there is more they can do. Even police and fire canít do a whole lot since the fire is still out of control and raging. They evacuated Calistoga and Geyserville in the last two hours. Major places. It was pretty windy there today and it is good to blow the smoke away and terrible since it keeps the fire alive and spreading. I saw so many police with lights and sirens and some fire trucks the same. Giving you the scoop.

Re: People still care

My brother in law is a mailman in Northern California ... this is an email he sent us ...

...Itís heartbreaking and Iím happy to be able to do what I can to brighten their day, even if I give them junk mail and bills! They liked the normalcy of it.

I know this feeling - we did not have power for 7 days after Irma passed thru, but I was looking forward to cutting the grass the first weekend after just so I had something I could control! Also made several trips to the debris drop off site that weekend so I could sit in the truck`s AC for a few minutes on the drive there and back.

Re: People still care

I live about 40 miles away from this fire and I can only imagine how devistating it is there. The air quality here has been extremely bad and we can actually see ash floating almost like a light snow fall. It almost reminds me of Fire Storm in the Oakland Hills back in Oct 91.
That is so incredible of your brother to help out. Thank you for sharing.

Re: People still care

It seems to me that no matter what race, religion, or political leaning, we as Americans believe that in a time of dire need, we all come together to lend a hand and/or help to those that are suffering. It makes me feel proud to be an American!
Jay

Re: People still care

Funny the media will tell you there is a race war (over exaggerated too) but when I was in Camp Lejeune NC for 5 years we went out after each Hurricane to clean up, I dont remember them ever telling us to knock on the doors and make sure the family that lived there was white. We cleaned up EVERY yard / business we could each day no matter who lived/owned it. Its sad to think especially in a time of need that race would matter at all...we are all humans.